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OR, PATRIOTISM AND LIBERTY.
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faction, pretended to fall violently in love with him, and yielded to his pleasure; seeking every means to loosen the firmness of his mind, and to make herself the sole object of his thoughts. This she accomplished, like a true woman; so that Gustavus began to show marks of despondence and strangeness of manners before his two friends. The princess was suddenly missed, and it was rumoured that she and her maids had escaped. The truth, however, soon appeared; which was, that Gustavus had turned traitor, and had sent her to her father with a promise to join him. Gustavus at first thought of persuading his comrades to a peace, but a little reflection soon convinced him of the impracticability of such a scheme. It came at length to this point; whether he would sacrifice the cause of liberty or his affection for this woman; the trifle prevailed, and the great weight rose in the scale.

Soon after her flight, the king's party showed signs of active preparation for battle, for the eagerness of which none could account but Gustavus. Measures were taken to meet them; and when both parties had fronted each other, and paused for the word of attack, Gustavus drew off his troops, and making a circuit round a hill fell suddenly into the king's ranks, and